In collaboration with multiple central Alberta communities and organizations on Wednesday children from the area got to travel to different skateparks and make new friends.
In its second annual year, the Central Alberta Skatepark Tour transported 42 kids to four skateparks including Sylvan Lake, Innisfail, Lacombe, and the Glendale skatepark. This was done in collaboration with Red Deer County, the Town of Sylvan Lake, the Town of Innisfail, Youth HQ, the Central Alberta Skateboarding Association, and the YMCA of Northern Alberta.
Lindsay Norrie, community services coordinator at Red Deer County said this was brought forward last year as a way for kids to be introduced to some new skateparks and meet some people who are interested in the same things after some of the COVID-19 pandemic precautions were lifted.
“This year it was actually led by some of the youth who attended last year,” Norrie said. “The purpose behind it was really to support kids to learn about skateboarding and to gain new skills and have some fun experiences together.”
While at each skatepark the participants learned new tricks and tips on how to skateboard with instructors through demonstrations. There were also challenges for those involved but the main priority was to have fun and make new friends.
Kevin Velthuis Kroeze was the main organizer of the event and felt it was important the kids got this opportunity through his passion for skateboarding.
Norrie said they kept the group small this year so the children could organize it themselves and pick where they wanted to go.
“We were really happy to have 42 kids to participate we thought that was a great turnout,” she added.
She said skateboarding is a popular sport in central Alberta among youth and said last year they built a skatepark in the community of Springbrook and so far has been widely used.
“We were aware that there were a number of kids in the county and in other municipalities that are really interested in the sport and are interested in learning from others. As well as getting together and trying some new and different facilities,” she said.
With the success of the event over the last two years, they hope to bring it back next year due to popular demand.